You will learn
- Nature interpretation, Nordic outdoor leadership, and the nature guide’s role in facilitating safe, sustainable and educational tourist experiences
- Event management and the social, economic, political, and environmental effects that events can have
- Consumer behaviour in tourism and experiential perspectives
- Intercultural competencies
Study methods
The course includes lectures, excursions, seminars, group work, and individual work.
The excursions include day trips and three multiday excursions where you will sleep outdoors in tents and carry your own backpack. This requires some specific clothes and equipment (see equipment list below).
The language of instruction is English.
Study details
In this semester program, students learn about the facilitation of experiences in tourism. This includes the study of Consumer Behaviour in Tourism (7,5 ECTS), Event Management (7,5 ECTS), and Nordic Nature Guiding (15 ECTS). All three courses have an intercultural component.
Nordic Nature Guiding
BRL104 Nordic Nature Guiding (15 ECTS)
Nordic nature guiding is intended for students with previous outdoor experience such as introductory level courses in outdoor activities and natural environments. Throughout the course, nature guiding course students will practice nature and cultural interpretation and take on an increasing amount of responsibility for the planning and leadership of safe, educational, enjoyable outdoor trips. The course has four theoretical and practical modules, which focus on: interpretation, Nordic outdoor leadership, commercial nature guiding, and safety and risk management.
Excursions and skill courses:
- Interpretation excursion - mountain and fjord (3 days camping)
- Outdoor leadership excursion - forest (3-5 days camping)
- Self-planned excursion (3 days camping)
- Sea kayak skill course (2 days)
- Indoor climbing skill course (2 days)
Consumer Behavior in Tourism
MF6-2001 Consumer Behaviour in Tourism
The consumer behavior in tourism course is intended to provide an understanding of basic concepts and theories for understanding consumer behavior using the social-psychological approach as well tourist behavior. The complex interaction between different factors is important to understand consumer behavior and their decision-making process as well as their consumption. This course highlights different internal and external factors including motivation, perception, learning, personality, attitude, culture, reference group influences, and decision making process. Alongside the course emphasizes concepts and theories from an experiential perspective focusing on the symbolic, hedonic, and aesthetic nature of consumption related to fantasies, feelings, and fun.
Event Management II
Event Management II deals with the ripple effects of events, in particular social effects, economic effects, political repercussions, and environmental effects. The subject involves research and development within events and event management. Furthermore, it investigates how digital events affect and have affected the industry post-Covid-19 and the opportunities and threats surrounding digital events.
Equipment list
This study program includes day trips and overnight trips where you will be out in all sorts of weather, including rain, possibly snow, and freezing temperatures. To be prepared, you need to have personal clothing, shoes, a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and the other items on this list ready to use on the first trip, which is already two weeks after the semester starts.
Bring what you already own or can borrow. It doesn’t need to be a new model, old and used equipment is also suitable. You can buy second-hand clothing and equipment on www.finn.no after you arrive in Sogndal. Sogndal also has outdoor sports stores that sell these items.
Equipment –«the gear list»
Head
- 1 wool or fleece hat that covers your ears
- Neck gaiter / buff
- Sunglasses
Upper Body
- 1 long underwear top (polypro, silk, or wool - no cotton)
- 2 wool, fleece, or down insulating layer (not cotton)
- Waterproof jacket (gore-tex or similar)
- Additional layers for your personal comfort
Hands
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 pair of mittens
Lower Body
- 1 pair of lightweight hiking shorts or pants
- 1 pair of long wool underwear bottoms
- 1 pair of wool or fleece hiking pants
- 1 pair of waterproof rain pants (gore-tex or similar)
Feet
- Hiking boots (well broken-in!)
- Shoes for light walks and campus (outdoor running shoes, terrain running/walking shoes)
- 2 or 3 pairs of wool or synthetic hiking socks (not cotton)
Equipment
- Large backpack (60-80 litre)
- Day backpack (25-35 litre)
- Sleeping bag (0o Celsius or below)
- Sleeping pad
- Compass and map case
- Plate, cup and eating utensils
- Two one-litre water bottles
- Head lamp
- Small first aid kit
- Thermos (0,33 litre – 1 litre)
- A good camping knife and/or multitool
HVL will supply:
- Gas stoves on excursions
- Tents and tarps
- Kayak gear
Optional Gear
This equipment can be nice to have, but is not mandatory.
- Portable gas stove or a portable multifuel stove for use outside of excursions
- Hiking poles
- Camera, terrain running shoes
- For skiers: Skis and ski gear. The ski season often starts in November in Sogndal.
